Mayawati may continue to support UPA, say sources

New Delhi: Even as the Congress holds a Core Group meet on Wednesday to decide on its future course of action, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has reportedly made it clear that its support to the UPA stands.

BSP sources told mediapersons on Wednesday that party chief Mayawati was clearly opposed to early elections.

UPA is presently 17 short of the halfway mark in Parliament after key ally, the TMC withdrew its support from the government on Tuesday.

"What will Mayawati gain by withdrawing support to the UPA?" they asked. "She will continue providing outside support to the coalition."

They added, "What we need to reflect upon now is that the key player is Mayawati and not Mulayam Singh Yadav (Samajwadi Party chief). Even if Mulayam opts out, Mayawati will be there to bail them out. She is very clear, she will go all out to prevent early polls."

UPA was left 17 short of the halfway mark in Parliament after key ally, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) announced its decision to withdraw its support from the government on Tuesday over certain economic reform measures announced by the government that included 51 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, diesel price hike and a cap on subsidised LPG cylinders.

TMC chief Mamata had set a 72-hour deadline for the government to roll back the reforms saying they were 'anti-poor'. The government, however, stood firm, at the same time maintaining that the TMC was a close friend.